Research from Governor Brian Kemp’s office of Student Achievement shows that school systems are still grappling with high student absence levels that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.

State legislators seeking to lower chronic absenteeism in public schools met Monday afternoon to hear from experts. Senator John F. Kennedy, a Republican from Georgia’s 18th District, chairs the committee on student attendance.

“Chronic absenteeism is being defined as students in the public school system missing 10% or more of their school days that are needed for the school year,” he said.

MJ Kim, a lead researcher in Governor Brian Kemp’s Office of Student Achievement, said that the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to an increase in the number of chronically absent students.

“Before the pandemic, chronic

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